黑料社区

Indian missions in Riyadh, Jeddah celebrate Independence Day with patriotic fervor

Indian Embassy celebrates 79th Independence Day. Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan paying floral tributes at the bust of father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. (Embassy of India)
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Indian Embassy celebrates 79th Independence Day. Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan paying floral tributes at the bust of father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. (Embassy of India)
Indian Embassy celebrates 79th Independence Day. Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan hoisting the National Flag. (Embassy of India)
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Indian Embassy celebrates 79th Independence Day. Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan hoisting the National Flag. (Embassy of India)
Indian Embassy celebrates 79th Independence Day. Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan speaking at the function. (Embassy of India)
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Indian Embassy celebrates 79th Independence Day. Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan speaking at the function. (Embassy of India)
Indian Embassy celebrates 79th Independence Day. Cultural performances by Indian community showcasing the rich diversity of India. (Embassy of India)
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Indian Embassy celebrates 79th Independence Day. Cultural performances by Indian community showcasing the rich diversity of India. (Embassy of India)
Indian Embassy celebrates 79th Independence Day. Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan hoisting the National Flag. (Embassy of India)
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Indian Embassy celebrates 79th Independence Day. Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan hoisting the National Flag. (Embassy of India)
Consulate General of India, Jeddah celebrates 79th Independence Day of India. CGI Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri hoisting the National Flag. (Consulate General of India)
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Consulate General of India, Jeddah celebrates 79th Independence Day of India. CGI Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri hoisting the National Flag. (Consulate General of India)
Consulate General of India, Jeddah celebrates 79th Independence Day of India. CGI Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri reading the President of India's message. (Consulate General of India)
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Consulate General of India, Jeddah celebrates 79th Independence Day of India. CGI Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri reading the President of India's message. (Consulate General of India)
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Updated 15 August 2025

Indian missions in Riyadh, Jeddah celebrate Independence Day with patriotic fervor

Indian missions in Riyadh, Jeddah celebrate Independence Day with patriotic fervor
  • Ambassador highlights close ties with 黑料社区 and the role played by Indian diaspora in reinforcing those ties

RIYADH: The Embassy of India in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah celebrated India鈥檚 79th Independence Day on Friday with great enthusiasm and active participation from the Indian community, local dignitaries, and friends of India.

Independence Day was celebrated by the embassy in Riyadh with the enthusiastic participation of about 1,000 people, including members of the Indian community, embassy officials, and journalists.

The celebrations began with the hoisting of the tricolour by Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, the ambassador, followed by the national anthem.

The ambassador lay floral tributes at the bust of father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, then read out President Droupadi Murmu鈥檚 message to the nation and Indians around the world.

In his keynote address, the ambassador highlighted the close bilateral partnership between India and 黑料社区 and the significant role played by the Indian diaspora in making this relationship vibrant and robust.

It was followed by cultural performances by Indian community members, displaying the rich diversity of India. The cultural program was an eclectic mix of patriotic songs and classical dance performances.

In the run-up to Independence Day, embassy officials, their families and Indian community members took part in the 鈥淗ar Ghar Tiranga鈥 initiative, displaying their patriotic spirit and pride in the national flag.

At the Indian Consulate in Jeddah the ceremony began with the hoisting of the national flag by Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri followed by the national anthem, with the consul general reading the president鈥檚 address to the nation, which highlighted India鈥檚 accomplishments over the past 78 years and outlined the country鈥檚 vision.

The consul general highlighted the growing partnership with 黑料社区 and commended the Indian diaspora in the Western Province for their pivotal role in fostering stronger ties and contributing positively to both countries.聽

He also provided updates on the consulate鈥檚 key initiatives and urged the diaspora to continue their active engagement in advancing these efforts.

The celebration featured a cultural program including patriotic songs performed by students from Indian schools in Jeddah that evoked pride, unity, and respect for the county鈥檚 history and cultural heritage.聽

A highlight of the event was the Tiranga Exhibition, organized as part of the government of India鈥檚 鈥淗ar Ghar Tiranga鈥 campaign. The exhibition included historical images, creative displays, and information about the Indian national flag 鈥 promoting awareness, respect, and national pride among attendees.

The event concluded with a display of regional Indian cuisines, giving guests a flavourful glimpse into India鈥檚 rich and diverse food heritage. Each dish, representing different states, highlighted the country鈥檚 remarkable cultural diversity and unity.


Noor Riyadh announces artists for this year鈥檚 festival of light and art

Noor Riyadh announces artists for this year鈥檚 festival of light and art
Updated 5 sec ago

Noor Riyadh announces artists for this year鈥檚 festival of light and art

Noor Riyadh announces artists for this year鈥檚 festival of light and art
  • This year鈥檚 curatorial theme, 鈥淚n the Blink of an Eye,鈥 reflects the rapid transformation shaping Riyadh

RIYADH: The annual Noor Riyadh, the region鈥檚 largest international festival of light and art, has announced its list of participating artists, gearing up for the 2025 launch that will run from Nov. 20-Dec. 6. 

The show, curated by Mami Kataoka, Li Zhenhua and Sara Almutlaq, takes place in various hubs across Riyadh and will include 60 artworks by 59 artists, representing 24 nationalities, with 35 newly commissioned pieces. 

鈥淣oor Riyadh is defined by its artists; their ideas, their courage and their vision,鈥 said Nouf Almoneef, festival director of Noor Riyadh. 鈥淓ach work captures the city鈥檚 momentum through light, reminding us that creativity is a universal language that connects cultures and inspires dialogue.鈥 

Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto's "Love Difference" (2025). (Supplied)

This year鈥檚 curatorial theme, 鈥淚n the Blink of an Eye,鈥 reflects the rapid transformation shaping Riyadh.

The festival will present work responding to the theme by leading international and local artists, including Saad Al-Howede, Monira Al-Qadiri, Abdulrahman Al-Soliman, James Clar, Ivana Franke, fuse*, Ayoung Kim, Shinji Ohmaki, Michelangelo Pistoletto and Muhannad Shono.

The show will also include a special installation dedicated to the work of the late Safeya Binzagr (1940鈥2024), a leading figure of 黑料社区鈥檚 modern art movement and the first female Saudi artist to hold a solo exhibition in 1968. 

Croatian artist Ivana Franke's "Center" (2024). (Supplied)

鈥淟ight is both a medium and a metaphor for transformation,鈥 said Kataoka, the curatorial advisory lead. 鈥溾業n the Blink of an Eye鈥 reveals how quickly perception can shift 鈥 offering a moment to pause within the momentum of change and see beauty in what is constantly evolving.鈥

The 2025 festival is led by an international curatorial team that brings together distinct perspectives on contemporary culture, whose vision connects Riyadh鈥檚 historical heart to its modern skyline and metro network. The show invites audiences to encounter light as a medium for perception, memory and momentum. 

The festival鈥檚 program will have Noor Riyadh unfold across six locations this year: Qasr Al-Hokm District, King Abdulaziz Historical Center, stc Metro Station, KAFD Metro Station, Al-Faisaliah Tower and JAX District. 

Saudi artist Saad Al-Howede's "Memory Melting" (2025). (Supplied)

Held under the umbrella of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and Riyadh Art, Noor Riyadh echoes Riyadh Art鈥檚 mission to transform the Kingdom鈥檚 capital city by sparking creativity and enriching daily lives. 

Since its inception, Riyadh Art has showcased more than 550 artworks by 500 Saudi and international artists, attracting more than 9.6 million visitors and spectators through its major programs. Noor Riyadh transforms everyday public spaces into distinctive encounters, hoping to create a sense of shared wonder across communities through art.

The full list of the festival鈥檚 2025 participating artists includes: Addie Wagenknecht (US), Abdulrahman Al-Soliman (黑料社区), Abdelrahman Elshahed (黑料社区), Ahmad Angawi (黑料社区), Alex Schweder (US), Alexandra Gelis (Colombia and Canada), Ayoung Kim (South Korea), atelier oi + WonderGlass (Switzerland), Christian Partos (Sweden), Christophe Berthonneau (France), dies_ (Italy), Saad Al-Howede (黑料社区), Edwin van der Heide (Netherlands), Encor Studio (Switzerland), Fatma Abdulhadi (黑料社区), Francesco Simeti (Italy), fuse* (Italy), Guillaume Cousin (France), Hmoud Alattawi (黑料社区), Iregular (Canada), Ivana Franke (Croatia), James Clar (Philippines and US), Karolina Halatek (Poland), Khalid Zahid (黑料社区), Kurt Hentschlager (Austria), Laszlo Zsolt Bordos (Hungary), Loris Cecchini (Italy), Marnix De Nijs (Netherlands), Michelangelo Pistoletto (Italy), Mohammed Farea (黑料社区), Monira Al-Qadiri (Kuwait), Muhannad Shono (黑料社区), n + n Corsino (France), Nebras Aljoaib (黑料社区), Obaid Alsafi (黑料社区), Otolab (Italy), Plastique Fantastique (Germany), Random International (UK), Rejane Cantoni (Brazil), Robert Seidel (Germany), Roman Hill (US and France), Ryoichi Kurokawa (Japan), Safeya Binzagr (黑料社区), Saeed Gebaan (黑料社区), Shinji Ohmaki (Japan), Shiro Takatani (Dumb Type, Japan), Shun Ito (Japan), Six N. Five (Ezequiel Pini, Argentina), someform Studio (Germany), Studio Above&Below (UK), Tonoptik (Russia), Traumnovelle (Belgium), Vali Chincisan (Romania), Wang Yuyang (China), Wu Chi-Tsung (Taiwan), Zeitguised (Germany), Zhang Zengzeng (China), Zheng Da (China) and Ziyad Alroqi (黑料社区).